*** this program has been closed, and no new applications will be accepted. ***

The Spirit of Ramanujan Math Talent Initiative is presented by Ken Ono, Asa Griggs
Candler Professor of Mathematics at Emory University; Expii, the open, personalized
learning platform; and the Templeton World Charity Foundation, in conjunction with IFC
Films and Pressman Film, producers of the motion picture The Man Who Knew Infinity.
The Spirit of Ramanujan Math Talent Initiative strives to find undiscovered
mathematicians around the world and match them with advancement opportunities.

The creators of the Spirit of Ramanujan Math Talent Initiative were inspired by the life
of Srinivasa Ramanujan, a gifted mathematician and the subject of the film. In 1913,
Ramanujan, a poor Hindu college dropout who was self-taught in mathematics, reached
out to renowned British mathematician G.H. Hardy in his search for mathematical peers
and colleagues. Hardy was so astonished by Ramanujan’s mathematical theories that he
invited Ramanujan to Cambridge to study and collaborate. From the start, Ramanujan
was fighting against the odds because of his poverty, his location, and the inflexibility of
formal schooling. Yet with his brilliant mind, his dreams, and the support of the
mathematical community, he defied those odds and went on to change the future of
mathematics. Together with Hardy, Ramanujan innovated vast tracts of mathematics
before returning to India in fragile health. Tragically, he died at 32, leaving three
enigmatic notebooks that drive cutting-edge research to this day.

Selected
individuals will be awarded Templeton-Ramanujan Scholarly Development Prizes to use for
furthering their educational pursuits and development. Just as Ramanujan’s journey was
transformed by his introduction to the mathematical community, successful applicants will be
invited to participate in the 2017 Joint Mathematics Meetings, which will be held in Atlanta
from January 4-7, 2017. There, they will engage with award-winning mathematicians (e.g., Fields
Medalists, Cole Prize winners, Steele Prize winners, etc.) Organized by the Mathematical
Association of America and the American Mathematical Society, the JMM is the largest annual
mathematics conference in the world. Its purpose is to advance mathematical achievement,
encourage research, and provide the communication necessary to progress in the field.

In the spirit of Ramanujan, up to 10 participants will be offered financial support to attend and
participate in approved summer research in mathematics such as the REU in Arithmetic Geometry and Number Theory at Emory University.